Hyderabad: The BJP's promise to work for a Ram temple at a disputed mosque site in Ayodhya, in its manifesto for the general election, has reportedly discomfited one of its key southern allies.
Just a day after resurrecting his ties with the BJP, Andhra Pradesh politician Chandrababu Naidu faced uncomfortable questions today after the party's manifesto release. Mr Naidu, who heads the Telugu Desam Party or TDP, said his party always had a secular record.
"The alliance was a political compulsion, but the nation needs parties with secular credentials. TDP always had a secular record and we will fight for it," Mr Naidu told reporters. "Under all circumstances we have to maintain the secular fabric of the country."
Besides the Ram temple, the BJP has also included two other controversial promises - a uniform civil code and the removal of special status to Jammu and Kashmir.
Mr Naidu, who announced the tie-up with BJP despite protests by his cadre, told them today, "Under the circumstances, there is no other alternative, so please understand the reality."
A senior member of the TDP, Zahid Ali Khan, editor of Siasat daily, has quit the party protesting against the alliance.
Asked about his earlier stand blaming Narendra Modi for the rout of the BJP-led coalition in 2004, Mr Naidu said, "Recently the court have a clear verdict, so we need not discuss it."
The TDP leader had ended his ties with the BJP after calling it the "biggest mistake of his life." Mr Modi is seen by many as a divisive leader who failed to check riots in his Gujarat in 2002. Last year, a court upheld a Supreme Court inquiry's report that there was no evidence of his role.
Today, Mr Naidu said, "Modi and I are a win-win combination. Both stand for development.''
Just a day after resurrecting his ties with the BJP, Andhra Pradesh politician Chandrababu Naidu faced uncomfortable questions today after the party's manifesto release. Mr Naidu, who heads the Telugu Desam Party or TDP, said his party always had a secular record.
"The alliance was a political compulsion, but the nation needs parties with secular credentials. TDP always had a secular record and we will fight for it," Mr Naidu told reporters. "Under all circumstances we have to maintain the secular fabric of the country."
Mr Naidu, who announced the tie-up with BJP despite protests by his cadre, told them today, "Under the circumstances, there is no other alternative, so please understand the reality."
Advertisement
Asked about his earlier stand blaming Narendra Modi for the rout of the BJP-led coalition in 2004, Mr Naidu said, "Recently the court have a clear verdict, so we need not discuss it."
Advertisement
Today, Mr Naidu said, "Modi and I are a win-win combination. Both stand for development.''
Advertisement
COMMENTS
Advertisement
Lights Worth Rs 50 Lakh Stolen At Ayodhya's Ram, Bhakti Path, Case Filed Pathetic To See Pregnant Women In 'Dolis' In The Age Of AI: Chandrababu Naidu Bulldozer Action Against Ayodhya Gang-Rape Accused, His Bakery Demolished Rahul Gandhi's Seat At Red Fort Triggers Fresh Congress Attack On BJP "Don't Expect Anything From Me": Kolkata Hospital's New Principal Loses Cool Nurse Raped, Killed On Way Home, Body Found 9 Days Later In UP Theft At Official Residence Of Jaivardhan Singh, Cash Stolen: Cops Most Of Landslide-Hit Chooralmala In Wayanad Safe Now, Says Scientist In A 1st, All Women India, Bangladesh Border Troops Share I-Day Greetinge Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.